• The bubble has burst and all the new spring styles are out in stores. From floral prints to brightly colored handbags fashion has never felt so fresh.


    All colors are in this spring but one that's really hip is a funky turquoise blue - this hue is making it's way onto all the big runways. Whether you prefer a girlie sundress, a funky pair of patent leather sandals or a colorful pair of flip flops, you need to remember that bright splashes of color is in this spring so don't be bashful.



    And don't forget the accessories - your outfit's not complete without them. The romantic look is coming back in a big way. Soft pinks and subdued colors are all over runways and romantic movies are strewn throughout theatres everywhere. There is not doubt that we as a society are looking for romance.
    To bring a little romance to your look, try sporting a romantic braid! The romantic braid is something that dresses up your hairstyle and gives it that dreamy look. Vanessa Hudgens added romance to her look by simply pulling her hair to one side and braiding her strands in a casual fashion. You can get the look too! Try one of these three romantic braid styles to dress up your hair.

    Hayden Panettiere shows off a sweet, yet simple braid in a half up, half down style.
    • You’ll want to begin with your strands already straightened by using a flat iron on 2” sections of your hair. Hold off on the shine serums though, as they may make your hair too silky and slippery to hold a braid.
    • Part hair straight down the middle. Then make two additional parts, from the middle part at the top of your head straight down to the ear on each side. This will give you two good size hair pieces to work with on either side.
    • You will then French braid each side of the hair, braiding toward the back of the head so it pulls hair off and away from the face. Secure with clear elastic bands when the braid reaches just beyond the ear.
    Spritz a medium hold hairspray on each braid, and now you can apply your shine serum throughout the leftover locks. This is a sleek style that is great for showing off a fabulous face. The “Skinny” on the Modeling Industry’s Influence over Body Image

    As the waistlines of models continue to shrink and more women and girls fall victim to eating disorders, the epidemic of unhealthy models continues to spread at a rapid rate. Models are getting skinnier and skinnier as the years go by, and the waiflike figures parading down the runway are far from healthy, according to nutritionists and health experts. The trend is prevalent enough that media giants and magazines are taking note and even speaking out about the alarming rate of eating disorders and poor body image that affect millions of women year after year.



    THE STATE OF THE MODELING INDUSTRY
    The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) sets many of the standards and guidelines for the modeling industry, and is being prompted by many designers and eating disorder campaigns to make some important changes.
    Designer Bradley Bayou recently spoke out against the rising trend in waiflike models because of his own daughter’s struggle. His 26-year old daughter has suffered from bulimia, which prompted Bayou to begin serving as an ambassador for the National Eating Disorder Association. The designer is encouraging the Council of Fashion Designers of America to require medical checkups for models to ensure that they are not suffering from an eating disorder and putting their health – and even their lives – at stake.
    Skeletal models can send a dangerous message to teenagers and tweens who are suffering from low self-esteem and those who look up to the fashion industry for tips on how to keep up with the latest trends. Seeing too-skinny models day after day can have a negative impact on body image and self-esteem, and magazines such as Teen Vogue are making attempts to shift to healthy-looking models whenever possible.
    WHAT IS A HEALTHY SIZE?
    Most models working on the runways of major cities such as New York, Milan and London have to diet down to a 00 size or smaller, and the majorities have very small, petite frames to begin with. Size 00 is difficult to reach and maintain for the average woman, and most women who attempt to diet down to this size can end up with a dangerous eating disorder and simply become unhealthy. Modeling industry standards demand models to be no more than a size 4 dress size, and a size 2 or 0 in some cases. A healthy size is different for each person; a healthy weight and size depends on genetics, bone structure and overall lifestyle habits. Unfortunately, this healthy weight is often incompatible with today’s modeling standards.


    HOW CAN THE MODELING INDUSTRY CHANGE?
    The modeling industry does have the opportunity to change. However, this may require ongoing education and new guidelines and restrictions to make long-term changes that benefit the lives of models and their families. Some options include:
    • Educating prospective models about eating disorders and encouraging them to be alert about the signs of an eating disorder
    • Encouraging models who are suffering from eating disorders to seek help
    • Encouraging agents and fashion directors to exclude models that have an existing eating disorder or excluding those who are deemed “high risk” candidates
    • Supplying healthy meals and fitness education backstage
    • Reducing the market demand for ultra-skinny models by asking designers to create clothes with larger sizes in mind
    AVOID THE "FRESHMAN 15"
    How to Avoid Weight Gain in Your Freshman Year
    By now we’ve all heard of the dreaded “Freshman 15,” commonly known as the weight gain experienced by students during their first year in college. Often times, students who find themselves away from home and on their own for the first time are eager to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. Having the true freedom to make all your own food choices can sometimes lead to constant consumption of high calorie foods and beverages. Between studying for classes and maintaining a social life, fast, cheap foods that require little or no preparation can often seem like the best way to go. Like with most unhealthy choices, it all comes back to you sooner or later, so let’s take a look at how to avoid unwanted weight gain and get off to a happy and healthy start for your college career.
    Freshman 15 Tip #1: Choose Sensible Foods
    Along with drinking and socializing often comes snacking. Salty foods taste really great with beer and cocktails, but will cause you to retain water, which in turn contributes to bloating and water weight gain. A better choice is to consume vegetable snacks. They are hearty and help fill you up, plus they are also low in calories.
    Freshman 15 Tip #2: Eat Three Meals a Day
    Eating three meals a day is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight, starting with a healthy breakfast. Check out expert breakfast suggestions from Corey Ritter, Atlanta based personal trainer and founder of Body Design:
    • For all meals, choose healthy whole grains, lean meats, low fat dairy products, and fruits and vegetables.
    • Make three meals a day a habit, along with two snacks to help keep blood sugar levels even.
    • Never let yourself get to the point of feeling famished, as that is when bad food choices are easier than ever to make.
    • If you eat smaller meals frequently, as opposed to eating two really large calorie-packed meals most days, you’ll help keep your body satisfied and your weight steady.

    Freshman 15 Tip #3: Make Time for Exercise

    A great way to commit to an exercise routine is find a friend to exercise with so you can cheer each other on. Having a partner to help motivate you on days when you might not feel up to that visit to the gym or one hour trial hike is like insurance for your own health! You can each help the other keep fitness as a priority and make exercise a part of your life forever. Studies show that several short workouts a day – say, 10 minutes each – are just as effective as one longer workout, so don’t think that a few minutes of exercise here and there don’t add up because they really do! Take the stairs whenever possible and lift hand weights while watching your favorite TV shows. Exercise is also a great stress reliever, so if you are experiencing any anxiety about classes or the social aspects of college life, working up a good sweat can help to alleviate some of that excess tension.
    Freshman 15 Tip #4: Get Enough Sleep
    You may think sleep has nothing to do with weight gain, but healthy sleeping habits can be hard to come by in the first year of college with the late nights of studying, and yes, the late nights of socializing, too.
    Just know that if you are awake late at night, there is a better chance that you will be snacking (and not on the things that are good for you)! Appetite tends to increase with sleep deprivation, so avoid caffeine after a certain time of day if you find it keeps you from falling asleep easily. Adequate sleep plays into maintaining a healthy weight, so remember that beauty sleep is beneficial in more ways than one.
    With a little bit of pre-planning, you can avoid the “Freshman 15” fairly easily. Strive to stick to three meals a day with two healthy snacks and don’t overdo it on the adult beverages. With a healthy diet, paired with exercise at least three to four times a week, you should be sleeping soundly and getting all the vitamins and minerals to keep your body satisfied.
    Don’t let anyone tell you that the “Freshman 15” is inevitable, because it certainly is not. Decide now to begin (or stay with) healthy life habits that will have you performing at the best of your ability each and every day. College can be a time to change your outlook or to continue the already healthy habits you’ve maintained throughout high school. Don’t fall victim to the “Freshman 15” – you’re much too smart for that!
    ANGELINA JOLIE’S BEAUTY
    Get Angelina's Natural, Yet Sexy Makeup with the Help of These Top Products!

    Sometimes less really is more, and Angelina Jolie’s glamorous, yet understated makeup at a recent red carpet appearance at the Critics' Choice Awards really brings this message home. Browns, beiges, and rose colors complement Angie’s creamy skin and shining espresso colored tresses. Read on to find out how to get a look like Angelina Jolie’s with these great makeup product suggestions:


    ANGELINA JOLIE'S NATURAL EYE SHADOW
    Try Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Stay in Place ShadowStick in Sand Shimmer. This creamy shadow won’t budge -- even through speech after speech and kiss after kiss, with Brad or whomever you might be kissing!
    CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Single Shadow in Tapestry Taupe is a true pearly neutral that is wonderful for daily wear and can also stand up to your night out on the town. Use a bit of eye shadow primer like Too Faced Eyeshadow Base, which will give your eye shadow long lasting wear and keep the color true.


    ANGELINA JOLIE'S EYE LINER
    I can’t get enough of Elizabeth Arden’s Color Intrigue Gel Eyeliner with Brush. It’s a little pot of magic that you won’t want to be without once you use it. This eyeliner has a perfect consistency, is easy to apply with the supplied brush, and the color is pure heaven. It will even last you through tears of laughter and tears of joy (like, for instance, the next time you accept your own Academy Award!).
    Play up your peepers with GOSH Cosmetics Eye Liner Pen. The pen tip is located in the cap, making for easy application of the liner. It’s a lot like drawing with a Sharpie and some divas find the felt tip delivery system to be a breeze!


    ANGELINA JOLIE'S LASHES
    Flirty fringe will be yours when you use LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes mascara. Believe it or not (and I do because I use it), it stays on for three days without flaking or clumping up into a mass of goo. The comb on the opposite end of the applications brush makes for easy separation of lashes, too!
    Oh, the naughtiness that Benefit BADgal Lash mascara will bring out in you! The color of this mascara is very, very black and the big brush gives you, well, big lashes! This product is not for the faint of heart, but one of my very faves, for sure.


    ANGELINA JOLIE'S LIPS
    Leave it to Chanel to give us lip color fit for a queen like Angelina Jolie. Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Color Lipshine in Mauritius is a thoroughly hydrating lip color with SPF 15 and vitamin B. Enjoy ultra sheer transparent color with Aqualumiere.
    Lancome Color Fever Lipstick Roses in Enticing Rose is a collection of lipsticks inspired by nature. These wonderful lipsticks represent the actual colors of rose petals and give your lips moisture and beautiful color.


    Use these makeup products to recreate the simple, yet sexy and sophisticated look Angelina Jolie wore on the red carpet recently. Sometimes understated makeup in natural colors can really bring out your beauty in a way you might have forgotten about! Try this calm, cool, collected, yet totally knockout look inspired by Angelina, and see for yourself and tell friends about this so they will be an actress, too.